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Our last morning at the Greater Sage-Grouse lek was an experience of a lifetime. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)
Mother Nature apparently never received the memo this year that our Colorado Grouse tour is in spring! We endured some serious cold, snow, and wind, but it did not stop us from having a fantastic adventure. After covering a huge part of Colorado, we ended up with a very respectable total of 162 bird taxa and a score of mammals as well.
Our odyssey commenced with the unwanted attention of the U.S. Army while we searched for Mountain Plover and culminated with a mystical morning in the sage and snow outside Walden at the Greater Sage-Grouse lek.
Our highlights were numerous but some standouts most deserving of acknowledgement were: the amazing sounds of the Greater Prairie-Chickens, meeting Fred Dorenkamp and Bob Bledsoe, the swirling cloud of Chestnut-collared Longspurs, the feeder extravaganza in Silverthorne, the fishing American Dipper, the Dusky Grouse coming to us, the dancing prowess of the Sharp-tailed Grouse, and the waterfowl smorgasbord at Walden Reservoir.
All the many miles were a delight from start to finish thanks to a wonderful group of birders. Megan and I truly appreciated the respect and kindness our group showed each other along the way. We sincerely hope to share another birding adventure with all of you! Take care and be well.
--Eric
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
BIRDS
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
Even the die-hard raptor fans among us were getting frustrated by the Northern Harriers flushing the Lesser Prairie-Chickens off the lek. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)
ROSS'S GOOSE (Chen rossii) – A pleasant surprise! One individual flew in and joined some Sandhill Cranes outside Gunnison.
CANADA GOOSE (Branta canadensis) – An everyday bird; some pairs claiming territories on still frozen wetlands
WOOD DUCK (Aix sponsa) – The roadside pond en route to Craig along Route 13 came through with a pair
GADWALL (Anas strepera) – Almost an everyday bird
AMERICAN WIGEON (Anas americana) – Almost an everyday bird
MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos) – Almost an everyday bird
BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Anas discors) – More days than not but never numerous
CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera) – A few good looks at this gorgeous dabbler
NORTHERN SHOVELER (Anas clypeata) – Almost an everyday bird
NORTHERN PINTAIL (Anas acuta) – One of the more uncommon dabblers migrating through Colorado at that time
GREEN-WINGED TEAL (AMERICAN) (Anas crecca carolinensis) – Almost an everyday bird but never numerous
CANVASBACK (Aythya valisineria) – Our best looks were at Walden Reservoir
REDHEAD (Aythya americana) – Our best looks were at Walden Reservoir
RING-NECKED DUCK (Aythya collaris) – Jackpot! - at the roadside pond en route to Craig
Maintaining your spot on the lek requires constant vigilance -- and the willingness to ruffle a few feathers, as these Greater Sage-Grouse demonstrate. (Video by guide Megan Crewe)
BUFFLEHEAD (Bucephala albeola) – Daily on the second half of the tour
COMMON GOLDENEYE (Bucephala clangula) – Seen on a couple of the larger reservoirs
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE (Bucephala islandica) – Tough to tease out of the distance and distortion on Blue Mesa Reservoir
HOODED MERGANSER (Lophodytes cucullatus) – Just one hen on Sweitzer Lake
COMMON MERGANSER (Mergus merganser) – More days than not but never numerous
RUDDY DUCK (Oxyura jamaicensis) – Everyday in small numbers during the second half of the trip
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
SCALED QUAIL (Callipepla squamata) – What a great way to start our first full day of birding on IL Road outside Boone
GAMBEL'S QUAIL (Callipepla gambelii) – Several birds were teed up and calling at the entrance to the Colorado National Monument
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
RING-NECKED PHEASANT (Phasianus colchicus) – A few were spotted when we were out on the eastern plains [I]
GREATER SAGE-GROUSE (Centrocercus urophasianus) – Alison did a remarkable job of spotting our first but the show the next morning was simply magnificent.
GUNNISON SAGE-GROUSE (Centrocercus minimus) – The Wuanita blind sheltered us on a chilly morning and the birds thankfully stuck around long enough to get a good view
Greater Prairie-Chickens turned out to be the favorite bird of the tour. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)
SHARP-TAILED GROUSE (Tympanuchus phasianellus) – A blue ribbon for the fanciest footwork. Their displays were particularly energetic and entertaining.
GREATER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN (Tympanuchus cupido) – Bob Bledsoe's introduction was interesting in its own right but the sounds of the Greater Prairie-Chicken lek were second to none.
LESSER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) – Fred Dorenkamp guided us by bus to our first lek experience and the Northern Harriers added an eliminate of risk to the performance.
WILD TURKEY (Meleagris gallopavo) – A lone tom roadside on our way to Wray was our first encounter
Gaviidae (Loons)
COMMON LOON (Gavia immer) – Who could forget that bird in breeding plumage frantically splashing about as it bathed and preened at Sweitzer Lake.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps) – We all got a good look at the bird at the far end of Sweitzer Lake.
EARED GREBE (Podiceps nigricollis) – An everyday bird during the second half of the trip. Some individuals were just starting to molt out of winter plumage and others were already in high breeding plumage.
WESTERN GREBE (Aechmophorus occidentalis) – Numerous on some of the reservoirs
CLARK'S GREBE (Aechmophorus clarkii) – Only a few individuals; we had our best comparison at Sweitzer Lake where the pale flanks; brighter, orangish yellow bill and extensive white feathering around the eye stood out. We also saw a likely hybrid showing intermediate field marks.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax auritus) – We first encountered them around Evans
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) – Seen on several occasions toward the end of the tour
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias) – Almost an everyday bird
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula) – A solitary figure at the edge of the pond outside Gunnison.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (AMERICAN) (Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli) – An adult asleep along the shoreline of Walden Reservoir
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
How's a girl to choose? Multiple enthusiastic suitors woo a lone female on the Sharp-tailed Grouse lek. (Video by guide Megan Crewe)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura) – An everyday bird
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) – Seen more days than not
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
GOLDEN EAGLE (Aquila chrysaetos) – We had some great looks at this majestic raptor including a bird incubating on a nest en route to Carrizo Canyon
NORTHERN HARRIER (Circus cyaneus) – Normally a beloved species, we were all wishing they would go away at the Lesser Prairie-Chicken lek.
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (Accipiter striatus) – Some people may have been in position to view the bird in flight as we were driving in Lamar
COOPER'S HAWK (Accipiter cooperii) – Almost an everyday bird
BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) – Primarily associated with the larger rivers with the cottonwood stands and reservoirs in the north; we saw several nests
SWAINSON'S HAWK (Buteo swainsoni) – More common on the eastern plains than at elevation
This Golden Eagle riding the updrafts at the cliff face directly in front of us at Colorado National Monument was one of the more memorable moments of the tour. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)
FERRUGINOUS HAWK (Buteo regalis) – Only one but it makes the list; that individual flying away when we stopped for the Burrowing Owls in the extreme SE
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (Buteo lagopus) – Presumably the unending winter kept more of these birds around than usual. Typically most have already headed north for their tundra breeding grounds. We had 13 in one stretch along Route 14 as we head south from Walden.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
AMERICAN COOT (Fulica americana) – They became numerous towards the end of the tour.
Gruidae (Cranes)
SANDHILL CRANE (Grus canadensis) – Lots of great looks at these statuesque birds but hearing them call while the Sharp-tailed Grouse danced was really special.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus) – Almost an everyday bird
MOUNTAIN PLOVER (Charadrius montanus) – It took some searching but eventually caught up to a pair on IL Road.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus) – A few were tucked into the corner of one of wetland cells along the Yampa River just south of Craig.
AMERICAN AVOCET (Recurvirostra americana) – What a gorgeous shorebird; we had great looks in that little wetland next to the Arkansas River outside Lamar
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
Loveland Pass was accessible but not hospitable this year. A hardy bunch braved the cold in search of White-tailed Ptarmigan. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca) – A few roadside wetlands
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes) – A few roadside wetlands
LONG-BILLED CURLEW (Numenius americanus) – A nice study along the state road as we headed north to Lamar from Carrizo Canyon; some folks saw a surprisingly large flock in flight at the Bledsoe Ranch
MARBLED GODWIT (Limosa fedoa) – Two in the back of the marsh at Lower Latham Reservoir
SANDERLING (Calidris alba) – Arguably the most unlikely species of the tour; an individual (breeding-plumaged female?) working the shore of Walden Reservoir; great spot and ID Meegs!
LEAST SANDPIPER (Calidris minutilla) – A small flock came up out of the wetland along the Arkansas River and flew over us.
WILSON'S SNIPE (Gallinago delicata) – Pat G. sure has an eye for picking them out of the muck (in the marsh at Lower Latham reservoir).
WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus tricolor) – A Northern Harrier played spoiler on our first flock near Lamar but we did see another one at a scope-testing distance outside Craig.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
BONAPARTE'S GULL (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) – At Sweitzer Lake and Walden Reservoir
FRANKLIN'S GULL (Leucophaeus pipixcan) – The backdrop was not aesthetically pleasing but the views we had along the road approaching Evans were outstanding. Some birds in fresh plumage had glowing pink bellies.
RING-BILLED GULL (Larus delawarensis) – Almost an everyday bird
CALIFORNIA GULL (Larus californicus) – Few and far between
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
The wintry weather and our high mileage route combined to create some beautiful ice art. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto) – Also an everyday bird
MOURNING DOVE (Zenaida macroura) – Almost an everyday bird
Strigidae (Owls)
GREAT HORNED OWL (Bubo virginianus) – We heard one as we stepped out of our hotel in Lamar predawn and flushed one the morning we left Gunnison.
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia) – The most memorable sighting was the bird that flew into the Greater Prairie-Chicken lek temporarily disturbing the performers.
Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-THROATED SWIFT (Aeronautes saxatalis) – Great looks at these acrobatic flyers while standing at the overlooks in Colorado National Monument.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) – Several males were heard as they buzzed by and one during our Devils Kitchen picnic was briefly in view
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
BELTED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle alcyon) – Just a few individuals
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) – Nice look at a male in Carrizo Canyon
LADDER-BACKED WOODPECKER (Picoides scalaris) – Heard drumming away in Carrizo Canyon but we could never get it in the bins [*]
DOWNY WOODPECKER (Picoides pubescens) – At the feeders in Silverthorne
HAIRY WOODPECKER (Picoides villosus) – At the feeders in Silverthorne
NORTHERN FLICKER (RED-SHAFTED) (Colaptes auratus cafer) – Almost an everyday bird
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
Several White-tailed Jackrabbits were cooperative in the Walden area. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)
MERLIN (Falco columbarius) – Two flyovers - one at Lower Latham Reservoir and a particularly dark individual flew over the entrance to Colorado National Monument
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) – Alain had a heck of a pick of a bird in a cavity on the cliffs of Colorado National Monument. One van had a flyby in Denver and we all saw the bird in flight at Blue Mesa Reservoir.
PRAIRIE FALCON (Falco mexicanus) – Three times we saw this uncommon falcon in flight but each sighting was a b.v.d. (better view desired)
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
EASTERN PHOEBE (Sayornis phoebe) – The lead van got on one in Carrizo Canyon.
SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) – Seen more days than not
WESTERN KINGBIRD (Tyrannus verticalis) – A great look on the fence as we exited Sweitzer Lake State Park
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus forficatus) – A few participants in Eric's van spotted an individual on a wire on our way to the Dorenkamps. Unfortunately it had moved on by the time we got turned around. This was one of our more unlikely finds as the species just barely sneaks into SE Colorado.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE (Lanius ludovicianus) – A number of individuals were spotted while we were on the eastern plains.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
PINYON JAY (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) – Our first look was just north of Buena Vista but the noisy flocks at the entrance to Colorado National Monument were more memorable.
STELLER'S JAY (INTERIOR) (Cyanocitta stelleri macrolopha) – At the feeders in Silverthorne and a few more places; this was the interior race with the subtle white markings on the head
BLUE JAY (Cyanocitta cristata) – A few people heard them the first full day in the field. [*]
WESTERN SCRUB-JAY (WOODHOUSE'S) (Aphelocoma californica woodhouseii) – We enjoyed good looks on multiple occasions
BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE (Pica hudsonia) – An everyday bird
CLARK'S NUTCRACKER (Nucifraga columbiana) – Up close and personal view at the feeders in Silverthorne
AMERICAN CROW (Corvus brachyrhynchos) – Almost an everyday bird
COMMON RAVEN (Corvus corax) – Almost an everyday bird
Alaudidae (Larks)
HORNED LARK (Eremophila alpestris) – I bet you've never seen so many in your life.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
TREE SWALLOW (Tachycineta bicolor) – Common during the second half of the tour
BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia) – Our best looks were at Sweitzer Lake
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – Seen about every other day
CLIFF SWALLOW (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) – A few colonies
Paridae (Chickadees and Tits)
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE (Poecile atricapillus) – Our first was a lone bird when we stopped for Common Mergansers in the river after lunch in Leadville.
MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE (Poecile gambeli) – The "fierce" chickadee
JUNIPER TITMOUSE (Baeolophus ridgwayi) – Good looks in Colorado National Monument
Aegithalidae (Long-tailed Tits)
BUSHTIT (INTERIOR) (Psaltriparus minimus plumbeus) – A great study of the bluish interior form in Colorado National Monument when we walked the campground loop.
Sittidae (Nuthatches)
The intimate experience of Pronghorn so close to the van made the last morning at the Greater Sage-Grouse lek even more special. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)
PYGMY NUTHATCH (Sitta pygmaea) – Coming to the suet and seedcakes up at Silverthorne
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
ROCK WREN (Salpinctes obsoletus) – First encountered in Carrizo Canyon
CANYON WREN (Catherpes mexicanus) – The tape that wouldn't turn off at the Devils Kitchen picnic area in Colorado National Monument
BEWICK'S WREN (Thryomanes bewickii) – What a remarkably responsive bird we enjoyed in Colorado National Monument
Cinclidae (Dippers)
Our American Dipper proved surprising. Who knew they ate fish?! (Video by guide Megan Crewe.)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
WESTERN BLUEBIRD (Sialia mexicana) – Nice comparison with Mountain Bluebird on the fence line during the drive from Leadville to Gunnison
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD (Sialia currucoides) – The males are simply stunning. Our best looks were probably up at Crested Butte.
TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE (Myadestes townsendi) – They were thick in Carrizo Canyon but we saw a fair number after that as well.
HERMIT THRUSH (Catharus guttatus) – Just one low in the roadside shrubs at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
AMERICAN ROBIN (Turdus migratorius) – Almost an everyday bird
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
SAGE THRASHER (Oreoscoptes montanus) – Good scope views our first morning out on IL Road
CURVE-BILLED THRASHER (EASTERN) (Toxostoma curvirostre oberholseri) – Good scope views our first morning out on IL Road
Sturnidae (Starlings)
EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) – Almost an everyday bird [I]
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
AMERICAN PIPIT (Anthus rubescens) – Great looks at their peachy buff bellies in breeding plumage at Lower Latham Reservoir and Walden Reservoir
Bombycillidae (Waxwings)
A solid argument can be made for the male Mountain Bluebird as the most attractive monochromatic bird in North America. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)
Calcariidae (Longspurs and Snow Buntings)
CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR (Calcarius ornatus) – The flock of ~300 birds along Route 385 south of Burlington was spectacular in flight with all those black bellies.
MCCOWN'S LONGSPUR (Rhynchophanes mccownii) – Good looks on our drive from Lamar to Wray but even better roadside views on our way back to Evans from Lower Latham Reservoir
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (AUDUBON'S) (Setophaga coronata auduboni) – Just an individual fighting the strong south wind while we were enjoying a picnic in Kim the first day
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE (Pipilo chlorurus) – Megan and a couple of participants briefly got on a bird in Colorado National Monument.
SPOTTED TOWHEE (Pipilo maculatus) – Good looks at singing and foraging birds in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
CANYON TOWHEE (Melozone fusca) – Megan and a few of the participants got on a calling bird in Carrizo Canyon
CHIPPING SPARROW (Spizella passerina) – At the visitor center in Colorado National Monument
VESPER SPARROW (Pooecetes gramineus) – Most days during the first half of the tour
LARK SPARROW (Chondestes grammacus) – Roadside after leaving the Dorenkamps
BLACK-THROATED SPARROW (Amphispiza bilineata) – A couple of super cooperative singers at the entrance to the Colorado National Monument
Our best looks at Coyote were on the drive up and back from Crested Butte. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)
FOX SPARROW (SLATE-COLORED) (Passerella iliaca schistacea) – Our first good look was along the banks of the Gunnison River. The kicking and scratching individual in the campground at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park was special.
SONG SPARROW (Melospiza melodia) – Most encountered during the second half of the journey
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (GAMBEL'S) (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) – Quite a few in the southeast
DARK-EYED JUNCO (SLATE-COLORED) (Junco hyemalis hyemalis) – Under the feeders in Silverthorne
DARK-EYED JUNCO (OREGON) (Junco hyemalis oreganus) – The "hooded" junco seen several days toward the end of the tour
DARK-EYED JUNCO (PINK-SIDED) (Junco hyemalis mearnsi) – Maybe the prettiest subspecies; seen everyday during the second half of the trip
DARK-EYED JUNCO (GRAY-HEADED) (Junco hyemalis caniceps) – Not the "red-backed," even though it has a red back; separated by bill color, these were all pink
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelaius phoeniceus) – Common
WESTERN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella neglecta) – Ubiquitous in open country
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) – A gorgeous Icterid
BREWER'S BLACKBIRD (Euphagus cyanocephalus) – Our first sighting was at the feedlot en route to Lamar
COMMON GRACKLE (BRONZED) (Quiscalus quiscula versicolor) – Well, common
GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Quiscalus mexicanus) – When we were in the southeast
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (Molothrus ater) – A scattering throughout
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
Alison did a heck of a job spotting our first Greater Sage-Grouse, but the experience at the lek was unforgettable. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)
GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH (GRAY-CROWNED) (Leucosticte tephrocotis tephrocotis) – The ones with just the gray head band. They are widespread and highly migratory in the inland continental mountain ranges
BLACK ROSY-FINCH (Leucosticte atrata) – What a striking finch! A few up at Silverthorne made a couple of favorite lists.
BROWN-CAPPED ROSY-FINCH (Leucosticte australis) – Hundreds at Silverthorne
PINE GROSBEAK (Pinicola enucleator) – A striking pair at the feeders in Silverthorne
CASSIN'S FINCH (Haemorhous cassinii) – Hard to come by this for some reason but we had good looks outside the visitor center in Colorado National Monument
HOUSE FINCH (Haemorhous mexicanus) – Almost an everyday bird
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH (Spinus tristis) – Some folks saw a few around Fruita
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) – Everyday bird unfortunately [I]
MAMMALS
NUTTALL'S (MOUNTAIN) COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus nuttalli) – Quite a few roadside sightings as we entered Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Desert Cottontails have a life expectancy of only a year and a half since most predators think they are delicious. Their high rates of mortality are offset by reproducing early and often. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)
WHITE-TAILED JACKRABBIT (Lepus townsendi) – Great looks near the Greater Sage-Grouse lek outside Walden
BLACK-TAILED JACKRABBIT (Lepus californicus) – One individual almost brought the vans together at dawn as we headed to the Greater Prairie-Chicken lek at Bledsoe Ranch
LEAST CHIPMUNK (Tamias minimus) – Scurrying around the campground at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
YELLOW-BELLIED MARMOT (Marmota flaviventris) – Just a few of us spotted one on our drive toward Craig
WYOMING GROUND SQUIRREL (Spermophilus elegans) – Several encounters of small colonies toward the end of the tour
ROCK SQUIRREL (Spermophilus variegatus) – Our first was in Carrizo Canyon but we saw it again in Colorado National Monument
GOLDEN-MANTLED GROUND SQUIRREL (Spermophilus lateralis) – The "big chipmunk"
BLACK-TAILED PRAIRIE DOG (Cynomys ludovicianus) – Some impressive colonies on the eastern plains
WHITE-TAILED PRAIRIE DOG (Cynomys leucurus) – Our first sighting was after lunch in Montrose at the Red Barn en route to Fruita. The one with the blackish face.
GUNNISON PRAIRIE DOG (Cynomys gunnisoni) – Around Gunnison of course
FOX SQUIRREL (Sciurus niger) – In the woods along the river in Lamar
ORD'S KANGAROO RAT (Dipodomys ordii) – Several hopping about on our drive out to the Greater Prairie-Chicken lek at Bledsoe Ranch
MUSKRAT (Ondatra zibethica) – In a pond in Steamboat Springs
RED FOX (Vulpes vulpes) – A few quick looks while driving
COYOTE (Canis latrans) – Loved those sightings to and from Crested Butte
ELK (Cervus canadensis) – Craig claims to be the Elk (hunting) Capital of the World
MULE DEER (Odocoileus hemionus) – By the hundreds during the second half of our tour
WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus virginianus) – In the riparian corridors in the east at the start of the trip
PRONGHORN (Antilocapra americana) – Early and late in the adventure with the best right around the vans at the Greater Sage-Grouse lek our last morning
During a rare moment of warm weather 14 beautiful birders and two guides soaked up some rays in Colorado National Monument.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Cerulean blue and slate gray
that would be the Pinyon Jay
Deep black, electric yellow
that very handsome blackbird fellow!
Akimbo wings and vibrating tips...
fierce fighter-plane males
of the grouse with sharp tails!
A relative newbie, I don't really list,
And yes, indeed, the dipper I missed.
But 51 new birds I really did see
A pretty good trip, if you're asking me!
By participant Beth Leslie Glasser
Totals for the tour: 162 bird taxa and 22 mammal taxa